Making History…LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame member Juli Inkster is making history this week with a duo of amazing feats. For the first time in Solheim Cup history, Inkster will pull off the amazing task of juggling playing for Team USA while serving as assistant captain.
Playing comes easy to the 20 year LPGA Tour veteran but Inkster admits coaching is the more difficult task of the week.
“It's been quite interesting trying to do both,” said Inkster. “I'm not sure I recommend it, but it's been a great experience working with Rosie and Sherri and learning that side of it. I think the playing part is easier, but you need that part for the playing part to make it all work.”
Along with serving duel roles, Inkster is playing in her ninth Solheim Cup which ranks second in the history of The Solheim Cup behind Laura Davies (12).
Since the 1992 Solheim Cup, Inkster has earned 18 points for her U.S. squad – the most in team history – and holds a 15-10-6 overall record.
THE MODERATOR: If you would, just talk about being the first ever playing assistant, and how you actually came to be playing on this team rather than just captaining?
JULI INKSTER: Well, it just kind of evolved. I really never had any intentions of playing, but here I am. So it's been ‑‑ it's been quite interesting trying to do both. I'm not sure I recommend it, but it's been a great experience working with Rosie and Sherri and learning that side of it.
I think the playing part is easier, but you need that part for the playing part to make it all work. I'm excited to get out there and play now and see what happens.
Q. An easier question, Juli, can you talk about your sub when you're out there playing, Kathy Whitworth, what she'll be doing and how she came to be a part of this?
JULI INKSTER: Yeah, so when I'm out playing, Kathy Whitworth is going to be the assistant captain. Rosie's very close to Kathy, and I just think it's such a great choice.
Kathy Whitworth is the goddess of golf. She's got such a calm demeanor about her whether you're 5‑up or 5‑down, she can come up to you and give you a little bit of a hug or a pat on the back and you just feel better.
Every player in this room has the most respect for Kathy Whitworth. It's great for the younger players to be around her and to get to know the history of the game and just to get to know Kathy. I think it's a win‑win situation.
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